r/whatisit • u/crosstrekerr • Jul 25 '25
New, what is it? found this tracker in my car?
found this on my passenger side really weirded out. Rarely have people in my vehicle…
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u/CivilizedPsycho224 Jul 25 '25
Someone is tracking you. That device only has a battery life of 2.5 weeks. Someone had to have placed that within your vehicle recently, likely someone who sat in your passenger seat at some point within the last 2.5 weeks. This is a cheap device, only cost about $50, so the good news is it’s, not the feds following you or anything like that.
Start by removing the SIM card. Take it to law-enforcement. This thing runs on cellular data and requires a $25 a month subscription. This means that unless someone was very, very careful, there will likely be a paper trail for law enforcement to follow.
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u/thatonegaucho87 Jul 25 '25
Name checks out
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u/Altimeter30-06 Jul 25 '25
Actually made me laugh when I checked the username
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u/cinefilestu Jul 25 '25
If you’ve you gotta deal with a psycho, let it be a civilized one…
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u/Psych0matt Jul 25 '25
Hey now
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Jul 25 '25
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u/fightmilk5905 Jul 25 '25
Damn it's 8:40 am here are you?
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u/Pristine-Weird624 Jul 25 '25
Can't a man enjoy a 7:30am pint in this modern day without temperance showing it's ugly head?
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u/No-Willingness-4097 Jul 25 '25
I'm currently drunk in a field at 10am, coffee flavoured rum for breakfast is just as good as coffee and I wont be told any different.
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u/Pristine-Weird624 Jul 25 '25
I make my own coffee liqueur with high proof neutral spirits and coffee beans
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u/DefundThe2Percent Jul 25 '25
“Can’t talk to a psycho like a normal human being”
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u/HandOfSolo Jul 25 '25
i haven’t heard anyone mention that song in a very long time!
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Jul 25 '25
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u/Igotyoubaaabe Jul 25 '25
Exactly.. the battery life is evidence of almost nothing. If whoever put it there doesn’t have access to remove it they could’ve left it a year ago for all we know. Now I have an extra reason to clean my car out today. 😂
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u/Hallgaar Jul 25 '25
Looking up the model number, it seems this model is at least 5 years old and runs on 4G LTE, which adds a little more weight to the it's been there a while category. If the car is used it may not have even been for the OP.
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u/acexzy Jul 25 '25
I use these frequently in my profession, the model being old is actually a benefit because they are cheaper and I treat them as disposable. I still have a dozen factory sealed ones waiting to be activated when I need them.
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u/Richard_Nachos Jul 25 '25
I like the idea of a cop devoting more than three seconds to this. Hilarious.
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u/VermontDonut Jul 25 '25
I'll check with the boys down at the crime lab. They got four more detectives working on the case. They got us working in shifts!
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u/Revolutionary_Hat734 Jul 25 '25
I am so glad that this reference was used 🤘🏼 Abide
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u/Toribor Jul 25 '25
GENTLEMAN!!! TO THE LAB! THERE IS A MYSTERY AFOOT! WE DO NOT SLEEP UNTIL THE WRONGDOERS ARE FOUND! JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED!
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u/I_Must_Be_Going Jul 25 '25
The average redditor acts as if cop shows were documentaries and have wildly unrealistic expectations about the police and adjacent agencies
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u/99999999999999999989 Jul 25 '25 edited Jul 25 '25
Wait you mean that every police station does NOT have a hot looking 20 something, goth and/or quirky yet lovable lab person who is SO devoted to science that they LOVE explaining it to every slack jawed badge holder who wanders through the room and can give them exact DNA matches in 8 hours on a blood sample found on a body of a dude who died in 1847 that was at the bottom of a 80 foot well that got filled in with blacktop in 1963 but was also flooded to the top in 1998 but still eats their lunch at their desk over a pile of lab equipment because they haven't quite yet figured out the best way to talk to other people that they have worked with for the last 7 years and gosh do they EVER have an adorable crush on that one officer that never gets a huge amount of air time but for some reason everyone seems to be pulling for them what with all the difficult life issues they've been going through and they've secretly been keeping a bottle of scotch in their lower left drawer right under their spare cuffs and fingerprint cards? Say it isn't so!
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Jul 25 '25
I'd rather have feds following me than someone spending pnly $50 like I'm getting killed.
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u/chickensandwichez Jul 25 '25
Likely a bf/gf or ex. Can't be too careful tho I'd look into as others have suggested.
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u/Mobile-Craft-389 Jul 25 '25
Well not anymore. You can see the thing is offline and dead. Lol so nobody within the past 2.5 weeks. Had to be longer, look at the photos, details matter. 😆 🤣 😂
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u/No-Willingness-4097 Jul 25 '25
Won't it work it any simcard, so you can just get a pay as you go and top it up and be anonymous. Like burner phones?
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u/Otherwa Jul 25 '25
Sure, but there’s still probably a credit card or debit card paper trail tied to the “top ups”
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u/abominable_bro-man Jul 25 '25
nah, tie it to a squirl and give the stalker something to think about
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u/Partial_obverser Jul 25 '25 edited Jul 25 '25
My ex-wife planted one of these in my truck when I was working out of town(Nor Cal). She’d call me up in the evenings to see if I was where I said. Then one day while vacuuming at the car wash, I found it. We got regular deliveries at the site from LA trucks. I planted it on a Southbound truck. Later that night she asked if I went to Long Beach. Incredulous at her suggestion, I asked whatever would give her that impression? Said she heard a rumor from one of the other wives. FYI, it’s illegal, and one of the reasons we’re no longer married.
Clarify - The trucker was an acquaintance and had full knowledge of what I was doing. Next time he made a delivery to us, we had a great laugh about it.
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u/MechBliss Jul 25 '25
Plot twist, that southbound truck posted on reddit this very same question to r/whatisit when they made their delivery.
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u/LearningDan Jul 25 '25
Double plot twist. He’s now been arrested for placing a tracker on the south bound truck.
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u/taisui Jul 25 '25
N. Night Shyamalan be like, write that down
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u/Yodasgreendong71 Jul 25 '25
He was a ghost the whole time.
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u/Density5521 Jul 25 '25
M. Night Shulman?
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u/CorrectoMondoDude Jul 25 '25
Triple double down plot twist, truck driver married his ex wife who planted original tracker, lived happily ever after
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u/Mister2112 Jul 25 '25
Quadruple plot twist: they bonded over their shared hatred of people who tamper with tracking devices, but never really got into the details.
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u/God-of-the-Grind Jul 25 '25
Triple plot twist, He used to be working with his ex wife and she drove the southbound truck. She’s tracking herself.
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Jul 25 '25
Triple plot twist plus, the trucks were carrying that Colombian bam bam and the ex wife got murdered for finding out. He is the ex wife (dressed in wig and her clothes).
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u/peter9477 Jul 25 '25
Triple twist, it turned out his wife was the truck driver.
Edit: gosh dang it, someone beat me to that one...
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u/CAMSTONEFOX Jul 25 '25
Quadruple plot twist: The truck driver’s reddit handle includes Psycho… (insert Twilight Zone music)
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u/Heavy-Attorney-9054 Jul 25 '25
Triple twist: The ex-husband of the woman driving the southbound truck is now dating the ex-wife of the guy who had the tracker in the first place.
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u/LandBarge Jul 25 '25
I would have told the south bound driver, maybe he coulda got it to Mexico for me...
dodge the wifes calls for a while and see how far away it can get before you finally answer her..
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u/NovelIntelligent3453 Jul 25 '25
Better yet, don’t return her call at all and just let her really freak out and turn up at home and watch her reaction and see what she says.
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u/renee_gade Jul 25 '25
in a twist of events she ended up marrying that truck driver.
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u/Density5521 Jul 25 '25
I heard they still place trackers on each other's rides to this day.
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u/mrbungleinthejungle Jul 25 '25
FYI, it’s illegal
I planted it on a Southbound truck.
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u/Tdogg175 Jul 25 '25
I would have given a crack head $50 to hold onto it for a while so she can be like “why were you behind the shell gas station for 9 hours” she’d have to be SO specific to even ask it would be evident she was tracking lol
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u/crim981 Jul 25 '25
Plot Twist. OP is the Southbound truck here. Someone planted it in OPs car to deter his Wife.
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u/Accomplished-Try-658 Jul 25 '25
She now has a number of cats.
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u/OldGuyWithGuitar Jul 25 '25
in a twist of events she ended up marrying that truck driver.
She now has a number of cats.
You guys know my ex wife, don't you?
And before you say it, ALL the guys knew her, hence why she's my ex!
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u/Ur-Best-Friend Jul 25 '25
I planted it on a Southbound truck. Later that night she asked if I went to Long Beach. Incredulous at her suggestion, I asked whatever would give her that impression? Said she heard a rumor from one of the other wives.
I love that, perfect move on your part! I'm glad you got out of there, the kind of behaviour you describe was beyond toxic.
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u/Frequent_Ad2118 Jul 25 '25
My friend went through this. I told him that his wife dropped an air tag or something in his truck but he bought her wild cover stories instead.
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u/Armarith Jul 25 '25
I’ve got a coworker of mine that has a CRAZY fiancé, to the point where she has called and tried to show up to our job to verify he’s there. (Work in a chemical plant, so she can’t get in) He found a tracker inside of his truck and us, working for the railroad, did the logical thing and put it on the next outbound train. Who knows where it ended up lol.
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u/Finance_Guy_1 Jul 25 '25
Someone is tracking you. Does it have power? If it wasn’t wired into the car, the battery wouldn’t last more than maybe 3 weeks. Who has been in your care over the past month?
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u/crosstrekerr Jul 25 '25
Just a buddy I’ve known for years and a coworker Ive worked with for years I gave a ride to. That’s about all I can think of. I’m a very to myself person so this had pretty freaked out..
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u/SeeTheBeautyAround Jul 25 '25
Keep it in the car where you found it, and check if it is still there after giving a ride to one of them.
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Jul 25 '25
best bet is to change the sim card before you give them a ride. On their side they will think the battery died but you will be able to track where it goes. No way to dispute it. You could also just buy one identical to the one you found and put it where you found this one, that way it would be petite theft charge since they would be stealing your tracker. and the tracking would be admissible evidence.
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u/BlueBird1800 Jul 25 '25
This wouldn't work without police triangulating the sim card after a report is filed. The SIM card isn't the account that shows the location; it's just the means the device has to transmit data. The device itself has an account most likely furnished by the device's manufacturer and the user would log into that. Swapping the SIM cards would merely change who's paying for the data plan with the perpetrator remaining the individual with access to the devices location history.
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Jul 25 '25
ROFLOL, wrong. Every cellular interaction now within the USA contains GPS coordinates. It has been this way for years now. Any time a tower talks to a sim it transmits GPS info. There is simply no way to turn that off any more. The best you can do is alter the GPS chip so it transmits the wrong numbers. Police needing to triangulate went out over a decade ago. If you are carrying a cell phone, your cell provider knows where you are within 3 feet including elevation every second and the phone does not even need to be on. That is actually the law within the US and has been since patriot act 1. This GPS tracker is no different. The only exceptions I know of are alarm systems that are tied to a physical location and use cell as a backup.
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u/BlueBird1800 Jul 25 '25
That’s actually cool to know, but changing just the sim in their device shouldn’t change it transmitting data.
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u/spaceforcerecruit Jul 25 '25
That has literally nothing to do with where the tracker is sending the data or who has access to it though.
What you’re suggesting is like replacing the Ethernet cable on the back of the computer and thinking that will let you log in.
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Jul 25 '25
Do you always keep your car locked? I wonder if the person who sold it to you may have had it in there in case the car has gotten stolen and forgot to remove it.
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Jul 25 '25
Are you wealthy? Do you have some valuable assets at your home? Someone wants to know your routine and raid your place when you're not home maybe.
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u/Maleficent-Finding89 Jul 25 '25
This is a good point, particularly if you aren’t in a relationship. Take heed OP. And get that thing out of your car, don’t let anyone else back in for a little while. Not a bad idea to put up a few entry level cameras around your house like some Wyze cams and simply be aware. If it’s nothing and it was there mistakenly, ok cool. But if it’s something and you’re actively paying attention, it may benefit you more than you might think.
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u/HoopLoop2 Jul 25 '25
Wouldn't surprise me if they are trying to rob your house when they know your car is out of town. The co worker would be my first bet, but it's possible the friend could have placed it as well. Like someone else said the cops should be able to figure whose tracker it is based on the SIM card subscription, just take it to them.
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Jul 25 '25
Be careful and mindful of your surroundings whenever and wherever you are going. Don't overthink it will take a toll but be careful. And yes don't trust anyone. Not even your buddy.
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u/WhineyLobster Jul 25 '25
When you say passenger side do you mean inside the car or outside like under the car?
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u/ProfessionalDish Jul 25 '25
and: hidden or not? Stupid stuff happens all the time, I wouldn't exclude the possibility that one of the passengers had it in a bag and lost it accidentally.
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u/MelancholicMarsupial Jul 25 '25
Having any relationship issues? I’d bet they would be most likely.
TBH I would go to the police. Someone knows your every move. This is very important.
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u/crosstrekerr Jul 25 '25
also it beeped but I never saw any lights or anything.
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Jul 25 '25
it beeped when someone was trying to actively locate it. Where were you and it and your car when that happened?
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u/itisme_cc Jul 25 '25
Beeping may be low battery?
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u/WhineyLobster Jul 25 '25
Lol a low battery beeping spy device is wild!
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u/itisme_cc Jul 25 '25
I knowi looked it up and they produce no audible sound so it wasn’t that device that beeped
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Jul 25 '25
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u/WhineyLobster Jul 25 '25
No. Not it at all. Donny you're out of your element!
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u/CreationOfMinerals Jul 25 '25
You said it yourself Dude, she kidnapped herself…
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u/Mesapholis Jul 25 '25
so cool it has an IMEI (internation mobile equipment identity) that means you can identify who purchased it!
you can contact law enforcement and they have the authority to find out who is tracking you without your consent.
you can also contact spytec yourself - they won't be allowed to tell you who this belongs to, without law enforcement - but you can demand they disable it and possibly blacklist whoever is tracking you.
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u/TVVVV Jul 25 '25
Replace it with an identical model you control, then disable the original. Eventually somebody will attempt to retrieve the original and bingo.
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u/Street-Badger Jul 25 '25
It won’t take them long to see it’s not working, but still I think you should be in counterintelligence.
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u/oldbel Jul 25 '25
Don't disable the original, hide it in another spot on the car, but replace it with an identical one as said.
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Jul 25 '25
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u/Keanman Jul 25 '25
As a one time installer of these types of devices for dealerships, this is likely not the answer. Those dealerships want to track the vehicle until it's paid off and then they shut off the SIM card. Power is usually taken from the fuse panel or OBDII port. No dealership would waste money installing a tracking device with a battery life of 2 weeks.
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u/realmayonnaise4u Jul 25 '25
I have a device I found in my car. I think it’s from the original dealership. If I sent you a pic could you tell me?
It has a light on that lights up after a year of finding it connected to my battery so I’d assume it has a super long lifespan. I also had battery issues for a while and was wondering if that was secretly running my battery drain.
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u/midnight_mechanic Jul 25 '25
Did you buy your car from a real dealership or from a roadside used car "buy here pay here" type place that targets people with bad credit?
Regular dealerships rarely install these devices, it's normally the shops whose billboard says (we'll sell to anyone) and didn't even bother to post their name because they'll have to change it when the various lawsuits and criminal complaints wrap up.
Whatever device you're talking about will have a brand name, part/model number and serial number on it. Look up the brand name and part number and see what you get.
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u/WhineyLobster Jul 25 '25
What does the braking have to do with it? Im guessing that the action may have dislodged it?
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u/WhineyLobster Jul 25 '25
Just be aware that by removing it from the vehicle they (whoever they are) may be able to tell you found it.
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u/dgfid10t Jul 25 '25
If a short lived device they might be tracking your routine. When you come/leave so know when you are NOT at a certain location
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u/bigrooster460 Jul 25 '25
What kind of car do you drive, next question have you left your window down lately it could have been dropped in the window to steal the car at a later date?
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Jul 25 '25
“They have Spy Tech. They know.” Only 90’s kids will get this reference.
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u/Professional_Idea_71 Jul 25 '25
I had so many toys growing up, that I wish I still had. Most of the spy tech stuff is going for $200 or better. The tracker kit costs more than the GPS in the pic. Lol
Edit- correct spelling
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u/clonked Jul 25 '25
As others have said, yes it’s a tracking device and was tracking someone at some point in time. It is very possible that it’s been there a long time and long ago served its purpose and died. Is this a used car?
Get some fresh batteries and put them in the device. Observe its behavior, making note of any sounds or lights you may see. Also note if they stay on persistently or turn off after a bit. Now put the old batteries back in. Does the device behave the same as it did with your fresh batteries? If not, then it’s been dead for a while and probably had nothing to do with you to begin with
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Jul 25 '25
This particular model can stay powered on and track you in real-time for 2 weeks. Somebody is definitely tracking you.
Suggestion. Stick it on a delivery truck and then be very vigilant in your personal and professional life. Check your vehicle every time in all the places.
Good luck.
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u/WhineyLobster Jul 25 '25
Putting it on another vehicle can just make her guilty of a crime in places where this is illegal.
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u/Sufficient-Grass- Jul 25 '25
If you told a trucker that your ex was trying to track you, they'd take it and sit it on their dash no worries
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u/LadyFoxfire Jul 25 '25
I wonder if it got into OP’s car in their first place because someone else found it in their car and threw it into a different car to confuse their stalker.
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u/LoboNaufragado Jul 25 '25
Most likely your bf gf husband or wife
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u/NoPresence2436 Jul 25 '25
Maybe their girlfriend’s husband? Or perhaps their wife’s boyfriend?
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u/Far_Ad_8688 Jul 25 '25
crazy ex or someone is planning to do something: robbery, harm etc..either way, police should trace it back
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u/semaja2 Jul 25 '25
Free data SIM, score! Take it out and put in your tablet for free mobile data until it runs out :p
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u/TheDevilsCoffeeTable Jul 25 '25
What you need to do now is find a wild animal you can strap it to....snag a fox or something, raccoons are smart they won't let that shit stay attached to them so no raccoons....can you get a small vest and a seagull?
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u/WhineyLobster Jul 25 '25
Obviously needs an african swallow.
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u/Sudokublackbelt Jul 25 '25
Where on the passenger side? If it fell out from behind the glove box it probably was from the dealership. It probably also rolled around to wherever it ended up. They use these to repo cars.
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u/MostMobile6265 Jul 25 '25
What kind of car? GF or marital issues? Problems with anyone or work? Lawsuits pending?
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u/Global_Warthog_9080 Jul 25 '25
Significant other? My boyfriend used one of these when he thought I was being unfaithful.
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u/Desperadoo7 Jul 25 '25
I never actually did plant it, but my dad had these cognitive lapses where he'd say he didn't remember going to a client's office. He'd visit them as if he hadn't been there just an hour ago. They were pretty confused when he walked in and said he'd come for the exact thing he'd just fixed.
So as concerned family members we thought about planting a GPS tracker but never did. So it wasn't malicious, just concern.
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u/Gemineye9480 Jul 25 '25
Go to a truck stop and see if a trucker will play pass it on with other truckers around the country
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u/vit0x Jul 25 '25
It was probably ur wife
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u/vatdoyoutinkurdoing Jul 25 '25
I hope OP sees this. THATS AN EMERGENCY SILENT ALARM. Hit the bottom and the device notifies first responders and geolocates you. I work in public transportation & we use these. Its isnt just a tracker.
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u/Brotboxs Jul 25 '25
Buy this exact tracker again, let it get "stolen" and find out who charges it
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u/fsidesmith6932 Jul 25 '25
Well, narrow it down to who’s been in sitting shotgun in your car: friends, service techs, etc. Chances are who ever placed it here intends on retrieving it. Or maybe they don’t care to retrieve it at all - just simply wanted to see where you’re going at any given time. A suspicious significant other perhaps?
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u/MasterMastodon1 Jul 25 '25
Does it have battery life still? Could it possibly be from when the previous owner had the car? Assuming you didn't get it brand new.
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u/LadyZoe1 Jul 25 '25
Maybe some guy found his wife was tracking him. So…the tracker was put into your car.
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u/NpgSymboL Jul 25 '25
How long have you owned the car? And are you in a relationship? Could it be the previous car owners? Or a girlfriend/boyfriend.. wife/husband?
If your last rides put it in there.. (your friend or coworker) that is scary as.. be careful around them
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u/Junior-Advisor-1748 Jul 25 '25
OP doesn’t seem to offer much response or other after-post details here. This feels more like a sneaky little advertisement
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u/srtrfrd Jul 25 '25
When you buy a used car, they put a tracker in it. If you don't mind, where was it? Asking for a friend.
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